McDowell now uncontested in North Carolina House race after ex-Rep. Walker declines runoff

By GARY D. ROBERTSON
Associated Press

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A former North Carolina representative who finished second in last week’s primary for essentially his old U.S. House seat has declined to seek a runoff, joining Donald Trump’s campaign instead. Ex-U.S. Rep. Mark Walker’s decision Wednesday means first-time candidate Addison McDowell wins the Republican nomination for the 6th District, and he faces no Democratic opposition in the fall. Trump endorsed McDowell, and earlier Wednesday the former president said that Walker had agreed to work in his campaign reaching out to faith groups and minority communities. The Republican primary for the state’s 13th District however is headed to a runoff. Second-place finisher Brad Knott filed his formal request to take on Smithfield attorney Kelly Daughtry.